2003 Cal-bred News

Highlights of the CTBA Board of Directors
July 9, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am. The Vice-President and General Manager conducted the meeting and announced that a quorum was present:

General Manager’s Report:

Doug Burge stated that an extended contract in regard to the Sunshine Millions for the next three years is expected to be announced very soon.

In reviewing the CHRIMS reports for the year, the Incentive Award revenues compared to last year are down about 1%. This comparison includes Advanced Deposit Wagering amounts for both years, which has increased significantly in 2003.

Discussion took place on shifting the presentation of the Broodmare of the Year and the Valkyr Awards from the Del Mar Sale to the evening of the Harris Seminar. The Harris Seminar should prove a better venue for the awards and the proposed shift was approved.

Horses for presentation of the Eddie Gregson Award at Del Mar were reviewed. The horses eligible are California-bred graduates of the Del Mar Sale from two years prior. A motion was unanimously passed to present the award to the filly Global Finance, who won three stakes races as a two year old with total earnings of $181,000.

Big Sky Cinema, a television production company, provided an eleven page presentation, about a mini series based on the activity of thoroughbred farms, that is, the successes and setbacks that lead to getting a horse to the race track. The proposal includes filming of six key breeding facilities throughout the country The Directors were encouraged to read the presentation and provide their views about any participation by CTBA, which will be discussed at a future board meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

The Treasurer reviewed the latest monthly financial statement. Certain line items that differed notably from budget were explained, although overall, the year to date results were comparable to budget.

SALES COMMITTEE:

The interest from prospective buyers for the upcoming sale is very high, with many viewing yearlings at the farms.

The catalog has been mailed and will be available at racing offices in California.

The marketing campaign for the sale was reviewed. This included the television advertising, print ads, as well as direct mail. The committee is very optimistic that the upcoming sale will be extremely successful.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE:

The panel that will be discussing Rhodococcus Pneumonia at the Harris Ranch Seminar still needs to be filled with representatives from farms, as a few previous members can no longer participate. All other aspects of the seminar are established. The response thus far, has been very good and a capacity crowd is expected.

RACING COMMITTEE:

The racing committee chairman expressed his continuing concern over changes in black type standards made this past spring by the International Cataloging Standards Committee. These changes which were made retroactive to January 1, 2003, well after the announcement of our stakes program for the year. We have been able to work with Del Mar in getting changes to their conditions in the races applicable for their upcoming meet but were unsuccessful in getting the conditions changed with Hollywood Park in sufficient time to have the Valkyr stakes qualify this year. These problems will be worked out in advance for next year's Cal-bred stakes calendar as we continue to offer as many black type opportunities as possible to California breeders and owners.

The annual meeting with the racing secretaries will take place in early November.

CAL BRED DAYS:

The minutes of the previous Cal Cup meeting were circulated. Most details have been agreed upon. The date of the event this year is November 8, two weeks after Breeders’ Cup.

MEMBERSHIP:

Pat Hurley had a draft of the “Ask a Friend” letter passed around to the members present. The letter, when final, is expected to be available for distribution near the time of Breeders Cup. Pat suggested that the application for new applicants include a line for applicants to disclose who recommended them to become members.

MAGAZINE:

An eight page Trainers Section is planned with the CTT to be included in the California Thoroughbred magazine four times per year. The CTBA is working with CTT to begin this inclusion in October 2003.

The Del Mar buyers guide is expected to be distributed by July 22.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 pm